Sheep and cattle are back in Spalding’s town centre – and they’re already receiving plenty of attention.
People have been taking pictures and playing on and around the sculptures created by Graeme Mitcheson which were unveiled in Sheep Market and New Road on Saturday.
They are the latest instalments in the MARK-it Trail, designed to help make Spalding more attractive.
It’s been led by the Spalding and District Civic Society alongside Transported Arts and South Holland District Council, and funded by private donations from the society and a UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant.
Mr Mitcheson said it had been ‘a long winter’ carving the sculptures out of limestone and red sandstone
“It was a brilliant day. We were blessed with the weather and the sculptures have been fantastically well received by humans and animals alike!”
South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes unveiled them on Saturday.
He was supported by Catherine Bettinson of the Lincoln Red Cattle Society who provided some background on both the Lincoln Red breed of Cattle and the Lincoln Long Wool breed of sheep the sculptures are based on.
John Bland, chair of Spalding and District Civic Society said: “It was joyful to watch children running around the sheep sculptures or even sitting on them.
“Some of the councillors also showed their inner childhood! It was just the kind of reception we had hoped for. They were designed with that in mind.
“Whilst the bull and heifer are much bigger, so I would caution that people take care, it is also possible to sit on them as Graeme did on Saturday.”
Nick Jones of Transported said: “We are delighted and grateful to all our partners and the public for making Saturday’s unveiling event such a success.
“The town centre had a wonderfully positive atmosphere, and it was a joy to see so many people — children, parents, and grandparents alike — taking part in our needle felting and stone painting activities.
“It was heartening to watch visitors engaging with the sculptures, whether by snapping pictures of the cattle or perching on the sheep.
“As we passed by, we overheard snippets of conversation about the statues’s beauty, Graeme’s remarkable talent, and even people giving the figures playful nicknames.
“It’s fantastic to see the public already embracing these new additions and viewing them as part of the town’s landscape.”
